Monster S5: Bundy or Mangione Who is the next killer

Ethan Wright 09/21/2026

Photo Credit: Netflix

The world of true crime is constantly searching for new shadows to illuminate, and when you look to television, the Monster anthology series is proving to be a potent platform. Showrunner Ian Brennan recently opened up about the intense process of selecting subjects for future seasons, revealing which notorious figures he and co-creator Ryan Murphy have been considering for the series.

Brennan admitted that the pool of potential killers is vast and fascinating. Among the figures they have toyed with are the infamous BTK killer Dennis Rader, the notorious Ted Bundy, the Green River Killer Gary Ridgway, and Luigi Mangione.

These are not just names; they represent deeply disturbing chapters of American history. Dennis Rader pleaded guilty to ten murders in 2005, while Ted Bundy confessed to dozens of killings before his 1989 execution. Gary Ridgway pleaded guilty to 49 murders, and Luigi Mangione faced federal charges resulting in death.

Yet, selecting the right story from this dark landscape is proving to be the hardest part of the job. Brennan stressed that finding a subject worth dedicating an entire season to requires more than just notoriety.

“Most murderers just aren’t that interesting,” he explained. “It’s horrific, and you don’t want to watch it.” The real challenge lies in finding a subject that possesses the necessary depth to sustain a long, compelling narrative.

For Brennan and Murphy, the hurdle becomes even greater: they must find mutual passion for the subject matter. This shared enthusiasm adds another layer of complexity to the process of shaping these dark stories.

Finding a figure that truly fits the anthology format—one that can be explored in depth over ten hours—remains the ultimate quest for the creators.

The latest installment of the anthology, Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, premiered on Netflix on September 17. This season already showcases the range of subjects, featuring stars such as Ella Beatty as Borden, Vicky Krieps as Countess Elizabeth Báthory, and Sarah Paulson as Aileen Wuornos.